2008 Blount Partnership Highlights

 

Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development Board
Smoky Mountain Covention and Visitors  Bureau
Chamber Foundation

Blount County Chamber of Commerce Reports 2008 Milestones

During 2008, 1,390 Blount County Chamber of Commerce members participated in and benefited from the work of six councils: membership, communications, community development, government relations, business/economic development, and travel/tourism.
Founded in 1920, the Blount Chamber supports local business with resources and activities that enhance the quality of life for all who live work and play in the region.
"Our goal is to develop a robust economy and be a catalyst that helps create a cooperative and prosperous community," says Teri Brahams, chair of the Chamber. She recently listed some of the councils' accomplishments during 2008.

The Membership Council celebrated an 88-percent retention rate exceeding the national average. The Chamber's volunteer corps of Ambassadors made 454 visits to Chamber members, Operation Thank You volunteers delivered 1,180 member packets, and 41 members participated in the Always Buy Chamber program. In addition, the board of directors logged 263 "Above and Beyond" activities, and the Women In Business group met quarterly.

This council also focused on recent economic challenges. Assistance was extended to members by providing a "How to Thrive In a Down Economy" seminar and developing a "Down Economy Helpline." In addition, the council published purchasers' lists, manufacturer's supplier and vendor needs lists, and "Biz Tips" on the Chamber's website.
Brahams noted that all of the councils work closely together, and the Membership Council and the Communications Council have coordinated major upgrades to the Chamber's web site. This includes 29 audiovisual clips, environmental tips, networking tips, customer service tips and marketing. In addition, they created a Members Only section on the web site.

The Communications Council coordinated the production of the annual Basically Blount and Chamber Owner's Manual and monthly newsletters in updated print and online versions. Three special newspaper publications were created, Chamber Times, Poised for Success, and the Newcomer's Guide.

Every opportunity was used to drive traffic to the Chamber's web site, including publications, advertisements and correspondence. Improvements to the web site included a media section with podcasts, a news section with links to relevant business articles, and the Blount Area Job Board, a free service for members.

This council also coordinated the Chamber's Annual Meeting, assisted in coordinating the Smokin in the Smokies BBQ, provided information to Chamber members in five special interest groups, and surveyed members on technology training needs. In addition, the council coordinated communications for the Pellissippi Parkway Completion Campaign and provided media relations on a variety of issues, including business start-up, government briefings, groundbreakings and special events.
The Government Relations Council focused on communications between the business community and local, state and federal government. Highlights of 2008 include a two-day trip to Washington, D.C., that included visits with Sen. Alexander, Sen. Corker, Rep. Duncan, Rep. Wamp and Rep. Shuler. A legislative trip to Nashville brought Chamber members face-to-face with the General Assembly, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education. In addition, the Chamber hosted two state legislative coffees, individual meetings with state legislators, and briefings by Blount County Mayor Jerry Cunningham, city managers from Maryville and Alcoa, the mayors of Townsend, Rockford, Louisville, Friendsville, and local judges.

This council also helped draft and presented positions to the Chamber Board on the Federal Regional Legislative Chamber Agenda, support for the completion of the Pellissippi Parkway, opposition to reverting to elected school superintendents, and support for a joint business agreement allowing airline cooperation on flights between North America and Europe. In addition, the council continuously updated the advocacy section of the Chamber's web site, which includes a description of governmental issues, along with status reports and informational links.

The Community Development Council was instrumental in completing the new criteria and review process that resulted in Blount County's receipt of the Governor's Three Star Award, which in turn resulted in funding for the Blount County Economic Development Board to use for incentives and infrastructure. Other efforts included providing small business services through the Tennessee Small Business Development Center and SCORE. Also, environmental alerts for Chamber members who requested them were provided by this council.

This council was responsible for hosting numerous events, including the 7th Annual Taste of Blount, the 2nd Annual Earth Round Up, the 14th Annual Job Fair and the Youth Leadership Forum. The council also conducted monthly Human Resource Focus Group meetings, quarterly Transportation Committee meetings, quarterly Workforce Employer Outreach Committee meetings, and quarterly Air Quality Improvement Committee meetings. In addition, the council sponsored a supervisors training workshop, created a housing committee, coordinated a delegation visit to Chattanooga, and hosted a delegation from Chattanooga.

The Business/Economic Development Council took a leadership role in working with Innovation Valley Inc., a regional partnership created to implement a five-year economic "blueprint" for the region. This council's Existing Industry Committee formed teams to support existing industry by conducting personal interviews with companies and identifying areas where the Blount County Chamber of Commerce and its partners can be of assistance.

To recognize the excellence that exists in local businesses, the Fourth Annual Blount County Excellence Awards were presented in 2008. The council's Awards Committee has revitalized the program, narrowing the number of awards, facilitating online applications, and adding a free one-year Chamber membership to the award for winners.
The council also helped coordinate the kick-off event for the Blount Education Initiative, which drew 300 attendees. This organization is developing a sustained public awareness campaign that focuses on the critical issues related to education. In addition, the council has also re-established monthly Volunteers In Progress (VIP) meetings.
To aid the continued development of Blount County's economy, the Blount Partnership has added a project manager to work with volunteers in the development and implementation of these chamber programs.

The Tourism/Travel Council continued to nurture a strong relationship with our many members from this industry and with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This council helped to coordinate a spring and fall Foothills Parkway Open House. Another new event in 2008 was the inaugural Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival, a juried, all-pottery show featuring the skills of the many talented potters in the Smoky Mountain region. The council created a new brochure to promote the expanded Shadows of the Past Historic Hiking and Biking Trail, and it developed a strategy to move forward with the purchase of the Myers property adjacent to the Townsend Visitors Center.

Past favorite events continued to thrive in 2008, including the Second Annual Winter Heritage Festival, Herb and Wildflower Day, Spring Festival and Old Timers Day. In addition, these five events have been sanctioned as official Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary Events in 2009.

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Business/Economic Development Council Report
Energized, Revitalized Initiatives Underway

The past year has been a busy one for the Blount County Chamber’s Business/Economic Development Council.  Major steps include a leadership role in the Innovation Valley Inc., a regional partnership that has been created to implement a five-year economic “blueprint” for the region. 

In addition, Blount County recently became the only county in Tennessee to be officially recognized as a Preserve America community, which honors the community’s efforts to preserve its cultural and natural heritage.

“With an unsurpassed quality of life, state-of-the-art business parks, friendly and hard-working people, and quality educational institutions Blount County continues to attract businesses and retirees,” says Matt Murray, chair of the Blount County Economic Development Board (EDB).

To support existing Blount County business, the Council’s Existing Industry Committee has formed teams that are reaching out to local business and industry, conducting personal interviews with companies that choose to participate.  The goal is to identify areas where the Blount County Chamber of Commerce can be of assistance.

To recognize the excellence that exists in local businesses, the Fourth Annual Blount County Excellence Awards were presented in 2008 by the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers In Progress (VIP) and the EDB.

In preparation for the annual event in 2009, the Council’s Awards Committee has revitalized the program, focusing on five category winners, implementing a paperless application program and establishing judging partnerships with Maryville College and the Center for Strong Communities.  In addition, the Awards Committee has added a free, one-year Chamber membership to the award for winners.

The Business/Economic Development Council has also re-established monthly Volunteers In Progress (VIP) meetings.  Four briefings and two social events have been held.  Members gathered at Springbrook Park for Alcoa’s Freedom Fest and at Preservation Plaza for a Pre-Taste of Blount VIP reception.

The Blount Education Initiative launched in April. The Council helped coordinate the kick-off event, which drew 300 attendees.  This organization is developing a sustained public awareness campaign that focuses on the critical issues related to education.

Murray note that the Chamber has stepped up staff support, as well, adding a project manager to work with volunteers in the development and implementation of chamber programs that aid the continued development of Blount County’s economy.

“Now that we have adequate staff, we’ve successfully launched new initiatives within the Business/Economic Development Council and VIP.  These programs are increasing Chamber member participation and our ability to support new and existing businesses,” Murray says, noting that the VIP program has increased from 107 to 115 members.

“With our unique location, the types of companies that will gravitate to Blount County will continue to be automotive companies, as well as corporate offices, technology-based companies, and front- and back-office operations, especially those that need to be near an airport,” Murray adds.

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Blount County Tourism Ranks 6^th In State

With travel generating a record $276 million, Blount County now ranks sixth in visitor expenditures in the State of Tennessee, according to the Travel Industry Association (TIA).   With an 8.8 percent annual increase, Blount County also had the greatest increase in tourism spending throughout East Tennessee.

"The Visitors Bureau staff and the tourism industry have worked hard to creatively approach tourism promotion, and we have benefited from those efforts with a steady increases in our revenue for the past 10 years," says Bruce Guillaime, chair of the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau (SMCVB). He notes that Blount County has ranked seventh in tourism for as long as he can remember.

"Blount Countians can be proud of their vital tourism industry.  Its innovative programs maintain sustainable tourism and focus on the heritage, history and culture of our community."

He notes that the Visitors Bureau is a responsible steward of the occupancy tax dollars that are used to stimulate tourism’s economic engine.  For the 10th year in a row, the SMCVB has contributed to the fund balance, generating revenues above projections and expenses below projections.

One of the new programs in 2008 is called “Low Impact Vacations,” designed to appeal to a growing population who will choose a “green” destination.  Elements include a presence on the Internet, brochures printed on recycled paper, environmentally friendly restrooms in the Visitors Center and recycle stations at festivals.

The SMCVB also partnered with the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center to create a Transportation Task Force.  The result was the new Cades Cover Heritage Tour bus program that began in the fall.

A leadership role was taken by the SMCVB as plans are being finalized for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary.  The Visitors Bureau was the first East Tennessee Visitors Bureau to become a full sponsor of the event.  In addition, the following SMCVB/Chamber activities have been sanctioned as official events:  Winter Heritage Festival, Herb and Wildflower Day, Spring Festival, Smoky Mountain Potter Festival and Fall Heritage Festival.

A variety of publications were produced to promote various aspects of Blount County tourism to targeted audiences.  These include an updated “Shadows of the Past” brochure that features 20 sites.

Other publications produced in 2008 include the Circle the Smokies, Hiking and Biking, and Cades Cove brochures; an Arts and Crafts Directory and an updated tourism map.  For branding and consistency, style sheets were developed for all publications.

Tourism tips and news were created and disseminated to the Townsend/Walland and airport areas, and they were uploaded monthly to the SMCVB web site. 

Website statistics were continuously tracked, with the most popular pages being the accommodations/cabin finder, accommodations/bed & breakfast and community calendar.  To date, the site received 144,388 visits and 588,843 page views.

To promote airport properties, the SMCVB is currently working with the Tmbras Group on www.metingsandmountains.com. 

 

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Chamber Foundation Supports Community

The Blount County Chamber Foundation works behind the scenes to support more than 20 community organizations. Each of these partners relies on the foundation for one or more of the following services: accepting donations, accounting services, credit card acceptance, auditing, online giving and gift receipt letters.

By partnering with the Foundation, the following organizations are able to deliver much-needed services to the community: The Daily Times Newspapers In Education program, Maryville Farmers Market, Friends of Camp Montvale, Karitos Aviation, Blount United Credit Union, Jeff Roth Cycling Fund, Downtown Maryville Association, Fine Arts Blount, Empty Pantry Fund, Experience Your Smokies, Blount Education Initiative, Richards Williams, Jr., Leadership Academy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration, Wilderwood Service Dogs, Patch Ministries, Blount County Fire Department and Youth Mountain Challenge.

"The Blount Chamber Foundation is a perfect example of working together to accomplish great things," says Sharon Hannum, chair of the Foundation, which was founded in 1989. She notes that the Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created to meet special educational, cultural, charitable and scientific needs of our community.

During 2008, the Foundation established a formal relationship with the United Way of Blount County and the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College. Together, they presented two enrichment seminars the included starting a 501(c)3, marketing, fundraising and grant writing.
The Foundation also established the Nonprofit Community Collaboration (NCC) to address topics such as a certificate program for non-profit management, a mentoring program, board bank, resource library and seminar topics. In conjunction with the NCC, the Foundation applied for the $250,000 Collaborative Prize, which was created and funded by the Lodestar Foundation to recognize non-profits that choose cooperation over competition.

Another new NCC program is the monthly Nonprofit Executive Director's Forum, which addresses such topics as online fundraising, social networking and media.

The Foundation has also worked with the East Tennessee Foundation , with tentative plans to start an affiliate fund in 2009. Hannum notes that, for the first time, the Foundation became a self-supporting partner of the Blount Partnership by paying its share of staff costs.
The Foundation holds quarterly meetings with community organizations to keep everyone up to date. Recent by-law reviews, an updated board member selection process, and new service agreement and fee structure ensure the Foundation continues to provide the best possible service to Blount County non-profit organizations.

The Foundation also serves as a liaison with the Knoxville Leadership Foundation, disseminating information such as available supplies, services and classes available to Blount County non-profits. It is also a clearinghouse for non-profit event information, including their activities on the Blount County Chamber of Commerce's online community calendar.

 

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